49ers-Giants quotes to remember from November

Perhaps you’ve heard: The Giants are a supremely confident group entering the NFC Championship Game on Sunday against the 49ers.

Not that this is anything new.

The Giants were also certain they would beat the Niners when they trailed 27-20 and were driving late in the fourth quarter of their loss in San Francisco on Nov. 13. That game ended when defensive tackle Justin Smith batted down Eli Manning’s fourth-down pass at the Niners’ 10 with 34 seconds left.

Celebration for the Niners.

Shock for the Giants.

“I thought we were in perfect control,” New York coach Tom Coughlin said after the game. “I thought we would get there, score, and send it into overtime and win it in overtime. I’m very disappointed. We’ve done very well in those situations and I expected to do well again.”

Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka was equally sure the game was going to overtime, “There was no doubt in my mind,” he said.

The ever-confident Giants, though, were undaunted, even in the moments after that loss.

“We definitely like our chances in a rematch,” running back D.J. Ware. “We just have to wait until that day comes.”

The wait ends Sunday.

* Coughlin noted that the Niners had remained relatively injury free when he was asked about an injury to Michael Boley. The Giants middle linebacker didn’t play in the second half against the Niners due to a hamstring injury. Tight end Vernon Davis had a 31-yard touchdown catch with Boley sidelined.

“Obviously he’s the starting backer, the guy that calls all the defenses and he’s had an outstanding year,” Coughlin said. “You want to play with everybody. That’s the point. You need everybody. San Francisco’s played with everybody all year long.”

* Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, whose signature end-zone celebration is the “Salsa Dance,” watched Niners cornerback Carlos Rogers perform his own version of the salsa after a second-quarter interception.

Cruz, who had six catches for 84 yards, was asked if he had any words for Rogers after his shimmying in front of the Giants sideline.

“Nah, I could care less,” Cruz said. “I got the best of him throughout the game, so it wasn’t worth it.”

* Niners quarterback Alex Smith was asked indirectly about less-than-flattering pregame comments from Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, who said Smith was “a guy who they are trying to keep out of position to win the football game.”

“I just saw the one that I got called a manager or whatever, and this and that,” Smith said. “I could really care less, honestly. That is the honest truth. It feels good to be 8-1. I managed myself into a victory, that’s all I could care about.”